Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= The Shelby Independent Saturday, 1 May, 1880 In Shelby, on Sunday, April 25th, 1880, ALPHEUS NEFF, aged 32, of congestion of the brain. One of the best business men in Shelby has fallen, suddenly fallen, and deep gloom o'ershadows our little town and surrounding country. ALPHEUS NEFF, aged 32 years, 3 mos. and 17 days, died at his home of Conges- tion of the Brain, on Sunday, April 25, 1880. His death was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, sudden and awful. He will be missed at his place of business, his home, and in society in general. He was universally esteemed and it is hard to give him up. He came from Bertie, Welland Co., Ont., in the spring of 1870, and built a blacksmith shop on what is known as Churchill's Old Corners; here he continued to work at blacksmithing for two years, earning the reputation of a good black- smith. He then in company with WALTER H. CHURCHILL built a store on Main street in Shelby, and filled it with hardware. At the expiration of four years he bought out MR. CHURCHILL and continued the business up to the time of his death; and during all these years has proved himself a true man, building up a large trade and securing the confidence, friendship and esteem of all who knew him; so much so, that opposition to him in the hardware trade was not thought of. In his death a vacancy has occurred in the business circle of Shelby that will be hard to fill. MR. NEFF'S sickness was of short duration, and although everything was done that human skill could devise, it was soon apparent that he must die; and at fifteen minutes after eleven Sunday morning, he breathed his last. His funeral services were held at the church, Wednesday afternoon, 28th, and were attended by the largest con- course of people that ever assembled on a funeral occas- ion in Shelby; not more than half could get inside the church. The funeral services were preached by the Rev. Tobias Beam, a Mennonite minister from Canada, an old acquaintance of the deceased. The Masonic fraternity of which the deceased was a member was quite largely represented, there being quite a large delegation from Hart, as well as other parts of the county, and at the grave the burial services were conducted by the order. ===============================================================================